Solution-feeding mechanism for concrete mixers



17, 1929. 1 WELLS 1,740,324

SOLUTION FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Aug. 31, 1928 Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES FATE SOLUTION-FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE MIXEBS Application filed August 31, 1928. Serial No. 303,327.

This invention relates to improvements in solution-feeding mechanisms for concrete mixers, one object of the invention being the provision of a means for feeding a solution of calcium chloride in the proper proportions to the mix so that when the skip or mate rial-carrying member is in its lowermost position, the chemical solution container is charged to the full extent, and when the skip with the material is elevated, the container or receptacle thus charged is emptied into the mixing chamber with the material, thus insuring the proper proportion of the solution to the mix, and, at the same time, providing a means in which the solution is properly housed and out of contact with any outside portions of the machinery and does not have to be handled by the operator.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a chemical charging tank attached to and carried by the pivoted or swinging skip of a concrete mixing machine, said tank being a closed tank and being provided with an inlet means whereby the fluid or solu tion flows by gravity into the tank when the skip is in its lowermost or charge-receiving position, there being provided a check valve adjacent the inlet portion whereby when the skip is elevated the tank is vented to permit the free flow of the solution from the tank with the material charge into the concrete mixer.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which willappear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangements of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation, more or less in diagram, of a skip type concrete mixer with the present device in operative relation thereto, dotted lines showing the position of the skip when in material discharging position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the solutioncontaining tank.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the solution containing tank.

Figure 4 is a section through the tank adjacent the gauge glass thereof.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates the carrying structure of the concrete mixer, 6 the mixing drum, and 7 the swinging skip or material-receiving member.

The closed tank 8 is attached to and bodily carried by the skip at one side thereof adjacent the forward end, said tank being provided with the inclined portion 8 at the outlet end thereof and which assists in the proper flow of the solution into the mixing drum, as will presently appear.

Connected at the opposite end to the inclined portion 8 and adjacent the upper corner of the tank 8 in the top thereof is a pipe 9 which carries the T-coupling 10, the forward end of which is connected to the supply pipe 11 fed from the solution tank 12 mounted upon and carried by the mixer. This pipe, as well as the tank 12, is disposed at such a height as to normally feed the solution to the tank 8 when the parts are in the full line position in Figure 1 and to be automatically cut oif therefrom when the skip 7 is being moved from its lowermost position to its uppermost position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.

Connected to the opposite end of the T coupling 10 is a valve casing 18, the same being provided with the check valve let which normally closes when the tank is in its lowermost position so that the venting opening 15 is only open when the skip is being elevated and is in its uppermost position.

In order to provide a means for draining the tank when the same is in its uppermost position, the coupling 16 is attached in the reduced end of the tank 8, and attached to said coupling is the outlet pipe 17 which is supported upon the side of the skip 7 and has the extreme outer end thereof adjacent the outlet end of the skip, so that when the parts are in discharging position the liquid will flow from the tank 8 through the pipe 17 into the mixer 6 simultaneously with the discharging of the charge from the skip into the mixer.

There is also connected to the forward end of the tank 8 adjacent the coupling 16 and at one side thereof the coupling 18 which carries the sight or gauge glass 19 held in place. by means of the annular cap 20.

From the foregoing description, it is evident that with a skip type concrete mixer equipped with the present device, the calcium chloride solution, which is contained in the receptacle or tank 12 in which it is mixed, is properly supported so as to prevent spilling and consequent damage to the clothes of" the operator, which is one of the princial disadvantages attendant upon the use of'the mechanisms now employed for mixing and pouring the solution into the skip. The pipe 11 is so positioned as to properly feed the solution to the tank 8 when the skip is in its lowermost position and the check valve is closed to insure the direction of the liquid into the tank 8, the air escaping through the pipe 17. The tank 8, being positioned relatively to the level of the liquid within the tank 12, will automatically fill when the skip is moved to its lowermost position, and will not overflow due to the fact that the upper end thereof and the pipe 1? are above the level of the liquid inthe tank 12, the tank remaining filled until the skip is raised to its discharging position and the vent valve 14 opening. to permit the free flow of the liquid therefrom.

The size of the tank 8 is in proportion to the charge of the mix, skips of larger size being equipped with tanks of larger size, etc.

I claim v v 1. The combination with a concrete mixer, of a chemical solution chargingdevice including a supply, a closed tank mounted for swinging movement to and from the mixing chamber of the mixer, a coupling in the far upper end of said tank, said coupling being connected to the supply and adapted to be filled therefrom when the tank is below the supply, an outlet pipe leading. from the opposite end of the tank andabove the supply when the tank is being filled, and a check valve normally closed when the tankis being filled and automatically opening when the tank is elevated and being emptied.

The combination with aconcrete mixer, of a chemical solutioncharging device includ ing a supply, a closed tank mounted for swinging movement to and from the mixing chamber of the mixer, a coupling in the fair upper end of said tank, said coupling being connected to the supply and adapted to be filled therefrom when the tank is below the supply, an outlet pipe leading from the opposite end of the tank and above the supply when the tank is being filled, and a check valve normally closed when thetank is being filled and automatically opening when the tank is elevated and being GHIPtlBCLSELlCl check valve being connected to said coupling.

3. The combination with a concrete mixer having a swinging skip and a mixing eh'am ber, of a chemical solution charging device including a supply, a closed tank attached to and movable with the skip, a T-shaped coupling attached to the-far upper corner of said tank, a supply pipe connecting one member of said coupling to the supply, an outlet pipe connected to the opposite end of the tank and disposed adjacent the outlet end of the skip whereby when the skip is elevated the solution is discharged through said pipe into the mixer and means for automatically venting the tank as the same is elevated, said means being connected to the remaining member of the coupling. w

4. The combinatlon with a concrete mixer having a swinging skip and a mixing chamber, of a chemical solution charging device including a supply,- a closed tank attached to and movable with the skip, a T shaped coupling attached to the far upper corner ofsaid tank, a supply pipe connecting one member of said coupling to the supply, an outlet pipe connected to the opposite end of the tank and disposed adjacent the outlet end of the skip whereby when the skip is elevated the solution is discharged through said pipe; into the mixer, and a check valvefconnected to the reinaining terminal: of the T-coupling, said check valve bein normally closed when the tank is being filled and the skip is in its lowermost position; and automatically opening to vent the tank when the skip is being elevated and discharging.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HARRY D. WELLS. 

